The Tailor
First story for these OCs I hope you enjoy
It was a cool Autumn evening and the town of Willowbrook was brimming with life. One of the wealthiest families in town was hosting an extravagant party and all were welcome to attend. There was just one rule: All in attendance must wear a mask.
The party has actually been the talk of the town since it was announced. The family that was hosting the party, the Dearden’s, are a notoriously reclusive family that aren’t known to leave their estate. Normally, any and all errands are run by their staff. Ever since the party was announced, rumours began circulating amongst the townsfolk about the reason for hosting a party, when no one aside from the staff has seen the family in over two decades.
Of all the rumours that were in circulation, two had taken a fairly big hold in the community. One was that the family was going to announce some kind of grand donation of their money, and the second was that it was going to be some kind of announcement regarding one of their three children. Either way, everyone was bustling about, getting ready for this masquerade event.
Elaine Dixon was one such person excitedly preparing for the party. As the daughter of the local tailor, she's been hard at work helping her mother and her father hem and alter the outfits the locals were bringing in so they'd look their best for the party. The uptick in business had been excellent for her family's finances. However the uptick in business also meant that Elaine had little time to work on her own outfit for the event.
While her family wasn’t hurting for money, they certainly didn’t have the money to purchase a brand new dress from one of the shops. Elaine’s father had given her permission to use fabric scraps that they would otherwise be throwing away for her dress. As unfortunate as it sounded, it worked out in her favor. A client that had ordered a custom outfit changed their mind on fabric at the last second, allowing Elaine to use the entire roll of discarded fabric to make her dress with. She decided to use the other fabric scraps to make accents.
It was the day before the party and Elaine had been in the back of the shop working on the finishing touches of her dress. She was keeping her ear open for the door as both her parents were currently out running other errands. She wasn't expecting any customers though because everyone that had asked for adjustments or custom made outfits had already picked up their things. Elaine was grateful for that because she didn't normally run the front of the shop. She normally stayed in the back to help sew the alterations.
Elaine was busy sewing in some embroidery when she heard the bell that hung over the door ring. “I’ll be out in a moment.” She called as she carefully put her dress down in a way so it wouldn’t get wrinkled or anything. She then took the ribbon out of her hair, letting her dishwater blonde locks fall into her face. She preferred to have her hair up or better yet short, but her parents made her grow it out and they have a rule that she must have her hair down whenever dealing with customers so they wouldn’t be able to see the scar that runs from her right eye to her right ear.
“Goodmorning. Welcome to Dixon’s Tailoring, how can I help you today?” Elaine said as she entered the front of the shop.
“Um yes, I was hoping you could help me with something for the masquerade party?” The customer asked. Although the man standing just inside the door looked absolutely lost and unsure if he was in the correct place.
“I’m sorry sir, but with the party being tomorrow, we are not taking any alteration requests because there won’t be enough time to get everything done.” Elaine was trying to figure out why someone would be looking to have their suit altered or even custom made the day before they needed it.
“Oh, um. It’s nothing like that. I’m in need of a tie, but the other shops don’t seem to have what I”m looking for. Would it be too much tro-trouble?” The man seemed to be absolutely timid. He was playing with his long black hair, as if not sure what he should be doing with his hands.
“How are the clothing shops not helpful? They should have a wide variety of ties.” Elaine found herself asking.
“It’s just th-that hehsieshhh, hihSTIeshh, HEHSTIESHHHH, sorry. It’s just that the clothing shops only seem to carry solid colored ties, and I’m looking for some kind of pattern. One of the owners recommended I come here.” The man sniffled before pulling a floral handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his nose.
“I suppose that could be doable. What kind of pattern are you looking for?” In all honesty they too primarily only had solid color fabrics in stock. They had maybe two or three rolls of patterned fabric in stock that seldomly got used. Otherwise it was a special order for a client that asked for it in advance. If they’re lucky, she might be able to use fabric scraps. Elaine wasn’t all that confident that she’d be able to help this timid man.
“I was hoping for something animalistic or aviary. Aviary would be better if I have to be honest.” The man sniffled again. “If you’re unable to help me, that’s fine. It’s a long shot anyway. Sorry for bothering you.” The man said a little too quickly as he began to turn around.
“Sir.” Elaine said, causing the man to freeze. “I actually have some options available that you can look at. Just give me a moment.” Elaine disappeared to the back room and quickly found the fabrics she was looking for. They were both around three feet of fabric that were left over from orders that were unrelated to the party. She brought them back to the front.
“Alright sir, I have these two bird themed fabrics.” She showed the fabrics to the man. The first one was cream colored with black and white birds perched on branches. The second was a very colorful peacock feather pattern.
“I know it’s not a whole lot of fabric, but since you’re just looking for a tie, I should have plenty regardless of which pattern you choose.” It’s the truth. Elaine didn’t have enough of either fabric to really make anything, but she could definitely make a tie.
“If it’s not too much trouble and it’s not too short of notice, could you make a tie with the black and white birds please?” Elaine nodded as she began to write down the order into the shop’s book.
“A-also if it’s not t-too much to ask, would you be wil-hehstieshhh, hehSTIeshhh, HEHSTIESHHH. Oh bother. Excuse me.” The man quickly stepped outside the shop, causing the bell to ring. Elaine watched as he pulled out his floral handkerchief and he blew his nose. The man re-entered and looked utterly embarrassed.
“Sorry about that. I was wondering if I could also have a few squares of the other pattern as well. I like how the color pops.”
“Certainly sir. For the silk underside of your tie, would you like a certain color?” The man nodded and selected baby blue. He also asked if there was any royal purple fabric that could be paired with the other fabric. The answer was yes.
“Alright sir, I think I can have this order ready for you by this evening or tomorrow morning. Which would you prefer?”
“This evening would be preferable.” The man once again sniffled and he brought his floral kerchief out of his breast pocket again to dab at nose, which was slowly turning pinker and pinker.
“Excellent sir, Now I just need a name for your order.”
“Um, my name, is um Emmett.” The man, Emmett said, still completely timid. On his way out, he sneezed again, and his long hair whipped to the front of his face causing him to have to fix it before he could attend to his nose. Elaine grabbed the fabrics and returned to the back to get started on her next order.